KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has put the thumbscrews on contractors aspiring to become candidates in the upcoming local level elections.

The EC has prepared 19 points criteria that local-level election candidates ought to self-declare while registering candidacy. According to the criteria, aspirant candidates ought to declare that they are not involved in contracts at the local level and have not been involved in the transaction of immovable/movable property.

According to the EC, only a person who has not received any contract for construction or supply at the local levels will be allowed to become a candidate.

“The EC has drafted a new provision in accordance with the constitution and the prevailing laws on elections. Any person who is eligible to be a candidate in local elections must self-declare the 19 points while registering nomination and the candidate should be responsible for his/her self-declaration,” said EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel.